Have you ever noticed that your ball python’s skin has become wrinkled after peeking into its tank or enclosure?
Even though this may occasionally only be a sign that the shedding phase has begun, it can be concerning if your python’s skin is abnormally wrinkled or if you have any reason to believe that it may not actually be entering the shed.
What causes the wrinkled skin on my ball python, then?
A ball python may occasionally lose its skin if it has loose skin and naturally bright scales that appear dull or cloudy.
However, if the skin is too wrinkled or if your snake shouldn’t be entering the shed, this could be an indication that your ball python is dehydrated.
This article will go over some of the signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect your snake is dehydrated, as well as what to do if you suspect your snake is dehydrated.
How can you tell if your snake is dehydrated?
Reptiles do not normally sweat when they grow overheated or dehydrated, but they might exhibit a variety of signs that suggest a lack of water.
Typical signs of dehydration include:
Skin that is dry, wrinkled, or puckered
Skin elasticity and flexibility decline
Sunken and receding eyes
Weakness and sluggishness
Membranes that are sticky or dry
Flaky skin or peeling issues
Constipation or infrequent bowel movements
When these indicators appear, it is critical to act quickly to rehydrate your reptile.
Mild dehydration is readily remedied, and if water is available, your reptile will perk up fast as it receives fluid back into its system.
However, if the dehydration is severe, it may be important to seek veterinary assistance for emergency rehydration without disturbing your pet.
How do I rehydrate my ball python?
There are various methods for reintroducing fluid to your pet reptile.
These measures might be more than enough to aid your pet’s recovery in minor situations of dehydration.
To avoid shocking your pet or seriously off-balancing its fluid levels before its body chemistry can adjust, it’s crucial to move slowly.
- Near the reptile’s head, provide water or diluted electrolyte solutions like sports drinks, Pedialyte, or Ricelyte for quick, simple drinking.
- Pour water onto the reptile’s nose using an eyedropper or needle-free syringe. Keep giving the lizard liquids in this manner as it licks the moisture off.
A veterinarian might need to administer fluids through feeding tubes or subcutaneous injections if neither of these approaches to encourage your pet to drink proves successful.
Additionally, your vet can evaluate the reptile’s general levels of hydration and look for any additional health issues brought on by protracted dehydration.
Do ball pythons need to be misted?
Ball pythons should always have access to water in a robust dish big enough to accommodate periodic soaking.
Water needs to be checked regularly, and if it’s dirty, it needs to be replaced right away.
Ball pythons need specific, high-humidity locations in their cages.
With most cases, spraying the whole enclosure with room temperature water in a hand spray bottle once or twice a day should be sufficient.
Keep the substrate from becoming saturated.
The bedding should almost entirely dry between mistings if the misting plan is effective.
Another easy method to raise the humidity in the cage without soaking the bedding completely is to use a cage fogger.
The customary rolling mist the fogger produces also gives the cage a tropical, natural feel.
